Panayiotou middleman turns State witness

The charges against Luthando Siyoli, the alleged middle man in the murder of Jayde Panayiotou, have been dropped and he will turn State witness.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed on Wednesday night the 31-year-old Siyoli would be working with the State.

“I can confirm that, as the NPA, it is a fact that Siyoli is one of [the Section] 204 witnesses at the moment and we will be proceeding that way,” spokesperson Tsepo Ndwalaza told News24.

“I know for a fact tomorrow [Thursday] they are appearing in court and it is just for a postponement, and the other issue is the investigation is still going.”

“The charges have been dropped against him and he is a [Section] 204 witness for the State and we are confident that he will be working with us closely.”

Panayiotou allegedly hired Siyoli, a bouncer in his employ at the Infinity club in Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, to find a hitman, Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, to kidnap and murder his wife.

Jayde was kidnapped on Tuesday, April 21, while waiting outside her complex in Kabega Park for her lift to Riebeek College Girls’ High School in Uitenhage, where she taught. Her body was found near KwaNobuhle, Uitenhage, the next day.

Panayiotou and Vumazonke are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in connection with Jayde’s murder.

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About Alan Straton: Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."